At least five Palestinians, including four women, died early Saturday after an Israeli airstrike hit an apartment building in Gaza City. Health officials and civil defence workers confirmed the deaths. The strike destroyed the building and started a fire. Medics and church officials said the victims included Christian mother Maisa Abu Dawoud and her daughter, Mary. Later on Saturday, the Israeli military said it had targeted an apartment in Gaza during an overnight operation. The military said it wanted to kill Ali al-Amoudi. Hamas sources told Reuters that al-Amoudi leads the group’s political office in Gaza.

Witness Recalls Heavy Strikes

Ahmed al-Dahdouh witnessed the attack. He described the moment the strikes began. "We were asleep and suddenly heard continuous strikes and heavy explosions. The children woke up startled and started running and screaming," he said. He said residents rushed outside after the explosions. They found that a neighbouring house had suffered a direct hit. "We ran out and found that our neighbour's house was struck and there were dismembered martyrs, women, men and children. We started to pull them out; they were scattered under the rubble," he told Reuters.

Funeral Held at Gaza City Church

Family members and friends gathered at Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City for the funeral of Maisa and Mary. Muslims also attended the ceremony. Christians make up only around 1% of Gaza's population. More than two million people live in the territory. Fouad al-Najjar spoke about the loss. "Today is essentially the worst day of my life. I lost my mother and my grandmother today," he said. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem later mourned Maisa and Mary. It also offered condolences to their family. "We pray for an end to the war and bombardment, for the protection of civilian lives, and for a just peace in which the people of Gaza can feel secure for their children and loved ones. May their memory be eternal," the Patriarchate said.

Israel Steps Up Strikes on Hamas

Israel says Hamas has rebuilt its military capabilities and launched attacks despite the ceasefire. Israel has increased strikes against Hamas targets in recent weeks. Hamas denies the allegations. The group says it has not tried to launch attacks or rebuild its weapons arsenal. Hamas also accuses Israel of weakening the Gaza peace agreement. The US brokered the Gaza ceasefire last year. The agreement calls for the territory's eventual reconstruction. However, the sides have made little progress towards a broader deal to end the conflict. The proposed agreement requires Hamas to disarm. It also calls for Israel to withdraw its troops from Gaza. Gaza health officials say Israeli fire has killed at least 1,400 Palestinians since the ceasefire began last October. Israel says militants have killed four of its soldiers in Gaza during the same period.